Category: Initial Shock IV

Initial Shock IV wrap

That’s a wrap on Initial Shock IV! What a weekend full of incredible sets and good times. The venue was at capacity on Friday (during the requisite Initial Shock heat wave), and turnouts remained good all weekend. The new 3-day format with two evening shows, a market and a matinee worked out great and will be kept in place for next year’s edition. Photos and video from the weekend are still being processed and will be shared here and on YouTube when ready. Many thanks to all artists, volunteers and attendees who helped make this a great weekend. As well as to the sponsors who helped with advertising, accommodations and food: More Noise Please, Noise Receptor Journal, Pensione Popolo, Pizza Bouquet, Rocker, Untitled zine and White Centipede Noise. See you July 2027 for Initial Shock V!

Initial Shock market

The Initial Shock market is this Saturday from 12-5pm at Casa del Popolo!

Numerous vendors will be on site selling music, books, zines, pedals, clothing, art and more: Axiom Electroniques, The Counterforce, Drainwash, FAB Press, Gracious Host, Kersplebedeb Leftwingbooks, medusiform, The Montreal Assembly, No Fate Chainmail, Pixelobotomy, Pome’s Books, Pressing On Distro, Scream & Writhe, Spectacular Optical, The VHS Closet and more.

Plus DJ More Noise Please!

The market is free for all to attend and is followed by the second night of the fest at 7PM!

Miox at Initial Shock

Miox is Charvel in the midden.

Miox opens up the second night of Initial Shock IV – July 4 at Casa del Popolo. Tickets are available! (Less than 10 weekend passes remain as of this posting!)

That’s a wrap for artist profiles! See you this weekend!

crucifiedwhitesaviour at Initial Shock

CWS is a project based out of Ontario, Canada. Mostly dwelling in Harsh Noise, there is also a pursuit of atmosphere/ambiance. Heavily drenched in social/political critique, while viewing the world through an Anti-Fascist lens and pitch black sarcasm.

crucifiedwhitesaviour plays the July 5 matinee of Initial Shock IV at P’tit Ours. Tickets are available!

Hypertrophy at Initial Shock

Powerlifting Harsh Noise project formed in 2019 by Anthony Saunders (Dataclast, Existence in Decline, and sometimes Bastard Noise). Hypertrophy was inspired by the observation that strength sports and noise both demand the same single-minded obsession, going beyond the limits of what others consider normal or healthy.

Hypertrophy plays July 4th at Casa del Popolo (a switch from his previously scheduled slot of July 5). Tickets are available!

Initial Shock feature on More Noise Please radio & DJ SuperJen at Initial Shock!

Tonight there is a special Initial Shock program on More Noise Please radio, featuring tracks from all artists performing this year’s edition of the fest, and on Saturday July 4, MNP host Jen will be DJing the Initial Shock market!

SuperJen is one-woman operation More Noise Please! out of Toronto. She is a noise show organizer, host of an award-winning radio program, experimental sound creator & DJ.

Beginning in the early 2000’s in the LES of NYC with all vinyl DJ nights at Open Air & Botanica Bar to providing tunes between acts on the main stage at the legendary Electric Eclectics Festival in 2025, SuperJen has been a DJ for over 20 years.

She creates experimental soundscapes/noise that she incorporates into her DJ sets which have been featured on compilations on Industrial Coast amongst other labels, and a full length limited edition cassette on Tower of Dirt Records in 2026.

metradio.ca/show/more-noise-please

D.F.H. at Initial Shock

Since 2014 D.F.H. has been the solo harsh noise output of Aught\Void co-conspirator Connor Scott in Calgary, Alberta. Slow moving heavy low end electronics currently translated as Drilling For Heaven.

D.F.H. opens up Initial Shock IV on July 3, 2026 at Casa del Popolo. Tickets are on sale!

dang. at Initial Shock

dang. (Danielle Jakubiak) is a sound project based out of Halifax, NS. Danielle is a psychotherapist and music therapist originally from PEI. She completed her Masters of Ethnomusicology (UGlasgow) and Masters of Music Therapy (Concordia). Her work uses field recordings and found sound along with vocals, wind instruments, and other objects to process themes of memory, suffering, and purification. She has worked with Everyseeker, Initial Shock, suddenlyListen, Open Waters Festival, Bleep in the Dark, and has released 2 tapes on BISAD (solo and with Howard Stelzer).

dang. performs at the Initial Shock IV matinee – Sunday, July 5, 2026 at P’Tit Ours. Tickets are available!

Rhoda at Initial Shock

Rhoda is Chris Gibson. A sound and visual artist living in Halifax, NS who works with field recordings, found sounds, tape machines and various electronics. He started recording from home in 2007, and progressed to live sets in 2017. He runs Buried in slag and debris, and is the editor/designer for Untitled zine, as well as an active member in Bleep in the Dark, an experimental collective who organize shows in Halifax.

Rhoda performs during Day 3 of Initial Shock IV, Sunday July 5 2026 at P’Tit Ours. Tickets are on sale!

The latest issue of Untitled is out now, and Initial Shock is pleased to have the magazine as one of our sponsors since day one!